Kendrick Lamar and Drake? What about Kendrick Lamar and Nas? Hell, Kendrick Lamar and Kid Cudi? All would be fine collaborations, especially to throw on a debut album. Well – it looks like K Dot has some other plans. The TDE star is reportedly keeping features quite minimal on his debut LP, good kid, m.A.A.d city – and he dishes on what you can expect, and what you won’t expect. “I like the element of surprise,” Kendrick admits.
Though “The Recipe” – a floaty, Twin Sister-sampling ode to California’s women, weed and weather – is considered a confirmed single, along with the Gunplay collaboration, “Cartoons & Cereals,” Lamar says it’s looking like features will not play a significant role. Even the title, good kid, m.A.A.d city is still tentative.
“I’m selfish – it’s all me,” he said, laughing. “I’ve got to pick what feels right. I never go into it thinking, ‘I want to get these people on there.’ No, I don’t force nothing and right now it’s turning out to be all me.”
Lamar concedes to cameos from his Black Hippy crew – rappers Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q and J-Rock – and it’s safe to assume that since he’s under Dr. Dre’s wing at Interscope, “The Recipe” isn’t going anywhere. But considering he’s an in-demand young rapper, having worked with everyone from Drake to Talib Kweli in the past year, a feature-skint record is bold. Turns out he’s like any workaholic – neurotic about his success.
“People get in this position and feel like they need the big producers, the big artists,” Lamar explained. “Nah – I’m still hungry. I want to show and prove to the non-believers.”
Thanks to CBC Music for the interview.
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